Rohit has been leading the Indian team from the front in the ongoing World Cup.
After the game, India skipper Rohit Sharma was declared winner of the best fielder award for his tactical awareness against South Africa.
Rohit pipped the likes of Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja to win this honour for the first time during the World Cup 2023.
“Beauty of our team is that we just fly on the field but also we just don’t field with the hands but it is with a genuine commitment,” India fielding coach T Dilip said in a video posted by the bcci.tv.
“This reminds me of a simple and most important quote I feel is that the strength of our whole team is each member. And I think each member’s strength is our team,” he added.
Dilip then appreciated the efforts of Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja on the field.
“Today I think our new entry, SKY (Suryakumar Yadav) did really show that his quickness and his effort on the field was fantastic,” he said about Surya.
“And our GPS navigator keep doing his skills very well but also working with the team,” the fielding coach stated while pointing towards Rahul.
“And world’s best fielder keep doing his thing, whatever comes his way. he never leaves a single and takes all the catches,” Dilip said about Jadeja.
Hailing Rohit Sharma as professor for his tactical brilliance on the field, Dilip said: “And here comes the important one. I call him the professor because he is tactically gun on getting the fielders at right position. One year back as a team, we found some philosophies for the team and one important thing was putting body on the line. If anyone comes as a first example, it’s the captain.”
“We have been stressing on one point. It’s not about one catch or two good catches. It’s what spark you give to the team and everything counts and today we celebrate little outside in the city of Joy,” he remarked.
The entire Indian squad then went to the ground, where the Buggy camera stopped towards Rohit Sharma, who was mobbed by his teammates from all corners.
Shreyas Iyer, the winner of the best fielder award in the last match, handed over the medal to his skipper.
The fielding coach finished the video by saying, “Idea of getting this is to make sure that every 15 people deserve to claim this. And one thing, it’s not about just catch one hardwork It’s what impact you make on the time. And I think RO has made it in this match, which is tactical awareness and also he has been outstanding, keeping his body on the line. He deserves it.”
Here’s the video:
Coming to the match, India piled up a mammoth 326/5 on the board, courtesy of Virat Kohli’s record-equalling 49th ODI ton (101*) and Shreyas Iyer’s half-century (77).
In reply, South Africa’s innings folded for a paltry 83 in 27.1 overs. It was a listless batting display as none of the Proteas batters managed to touch the 20-run mark. Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja ran through the South African batting line-up, claiming five wickets by conceding 33 runs in his 9 overs.